Canada’s Immigration Plan for 2008
CIC’s commitment is to admit new permanent residents in 2008 within a planning range of 240,000 and 265,000 admissions. In this way, Canada’s immigration program will continue to respond to the diverse skill requirements of an expanding and dynamic economy. To meet growing regional needs the Plan aims to admit a record number of provincial nominees. As well, the Plan includes the introduction of the Canadian Experience Class, a new avenue to immigration that will permit, under certain conditions, temporary workers and foreign students with a Canadian credential to apply for permanent residence. Finally, the Plan will maintain the Government’s commitments to support family reunification and humanitarian objectives.
Table 1: Immigration Levels Plan 2008
Immigrant Category 2008 Ranges
Low High
Federal Skilled Workers 67,000 70,000
Quebec Selected Skilled Workers 25,000 28,000
Federal/Quebec Business 11,000 13,000
Live-in Caregiver 6,000 9,000
Provincial/Territorial Nominees 20,000 22,000
Canadian Experience Class 10,000 12,000
TOTAL ECONOMIC 139,000 154,000
Spouses, Partners and Children 50,000 52,000
Parents and Grandparents 18,000 19,000
TOTAL FAMILY 68,000 71,000
Government-Assisted Refugees 7,300 7,500
Privately Sponsored Refugees 3,300 4,500
Protected Persons in Canada 9,400 11,300
Dependants Abroad 6,000 8,500
TOTAL PROTECTED PERSONS 26,000 31,800
Humanitarian & Compassionate Grounds/Public Policy 6,900 8,000
Permit Holders 100 200
TOTAL OTHERS 7,000 8,200
TOTAL 240,000 265,000